Brazil : Unprecedented flooding leaves millions affected as MSF faces challenges in supporting the most vulnerable

Professionals face logistic challenges in order to reach population affected by severe floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

“The situation is catastrophic. When we arrived and traveled through the region by helicopter, we were able to view the towns from above and noticed that in some cases we couldn´t even see the roofs of houses. There are kilometers and kilometers, and all there is, is water”. The account from MSF medical coordinator Rachel Soeiro shows the impact of a disaster of such proportions that is just without any precedent in Brazilian history.  

The extreme rainfall and flooding that hit the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul isolated and forced the evacuation of whole cities. Roads were destroyed, bridges were knocked out and the main airport, in the capital city of Porto Alegre, is indefinitely closed. More than 460 state´s municipalities, out of a total of 497, have been hit. 

Above all, it took an irreparable human toll. According to provisional data, more than 150 people died and about 100 are still unaccounted for. Many people are without water, electricity and basic services. More than 2 million people were impacted and over 600 thousand have been displaced. Makeshift shelters are being improvised in many locations to receive people who don´t know when or if they will be able to return to their homes.  

MSF support during the emergency

MSF emergency teams are responding to the climate disaster in Rio Grande do Sul, with activities mainly focused on the most vulnerable populations. 

“Assisting people who are most vulnerable is one of MSF´s main concerns in such situations”, doctor Rachel Soeiro explains. “These people were already facing difficult situations before the flooding. But their needs have risen further and access to them has become more difficult.”

We also cooperate with authorities to facilitate the delivery of water and food to isolated areas. As most roads are blocked, organising transport is very complex. Many places can only be reached by helicopter.

In the city of Canoas, in Porto Alegre´s metropolitan region, MSF is setting up two mobile clinics with teams of doctors, nurses, psychologists and health promoters who are going to start working in shelters in the following days.

Additionally, we are offering remote training on mental health first aid to professionals who are assisting flood victims. Mental health support will remain one of the focus of MSF emergency activities, together with medical consultations.

“We know from our experience that there is a huge need for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings and the demand comes both from the population and from professionals who are on the frontline”, MSF psychologist Alvaro Palha says.

The scenario in the region is still very volatile, with unstable weather that may cause additional flooding or delay the return of people to their homes. MSF is permanently monitoring the situation and may adapt its response to provide the best possible assistance according to the most urgent needs. 

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MSF implemented a mental health project to support the victims of the socioenvironmental disaster that affected Rio Grande do Sul last year. Between September and November 2023, MSF provided an emergency response to people affected by a cyclone and flooding in towns of the Taquari valley. During about three months, we provided training for local professionals, including psychologists, social workers and education professionals. We also donated hygiene kits and offered health promotion activities to people who had to move to shelters. The same region was unfortunately severely affected by the most recent disaster and has been recently visited by an MSF team.